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Calendar for the 2019 National Council elections

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Information on National Council elections for cantons and candidate groups

The Federal Council approves a memo, which is sent out to the cantons with instructions on the organisation of the elections (communication, counting and checking of ballot papers, calculating the results etc.).Memo

Submission of deadlines for National Council election candidate lists

The cantons must notify the Federal Chancellery by 1 March 2019 of the deadline they have set for the submission of National Council election candidate lists. This deadline must be a Monday in August 2019.
Cantons that are entitled to only one seat on the National Council and do not have a system of tacit elections in their legislation are not required to submit a deadline.

Pre-publication of National Council election guide

In May a pre-publication of the election guide is sent to all interested schools for use in teaching. The online version is published on the official website
ch.ch/en/elections2019

Deadlines for National Council election candidate lists in cantons with proportional representation system

The cantons fix their deadlines for submitting candidate lists.

Deadlines for amending candidate lists

The canton examines the proposed lists of candidates for the National Council and allows two weeks from the date of submission for any amendments to be made. Amendments made after the deadline are not considered.
The time allowed for amendments may be limited (1 week) by cantonal law. Once the proposals are finalised, the official candidate list is formed.

National Council election guide sent to cantons

In September the Federal Chancellery sends out the National Council election guide to all the cantons with a system of proportional representation. The cantons add to this election material sent out to the voters.

Deadlines for National Council election candidate lists in cantons with system of proportional representation

The canton examines the proposed lists of candidates for the National Council and allows two weeks from the date of submission for any amendments to be made. Amendments made after the deadline are not considered.
The time allowed for amendments may be limited (1 week) by cantonal law. Once the proposals are finalised, the official candidate list is formed.

Deadlines for candidate lists for National Council election in cantons with simple majority and tacit election systems

Cantons with a simple majority system may also have a tacit election system in cases where only one candidate is put forward for election. In these cantons, candidatesâ€™ names must be put forward by midday on 2 September 2019.

Voting papers for National Council election sent out

Voters receive their voting papers three to four weeks before the elections. Swiss living abroad are sent their voting papers about one week before the official distribution.

Postal vote deadline for Swiss voters abroad

Postal voters should pay attention to the deadline for sending off their ballot paper!

Postal vote deadline for B-post

Postal voters should pay attention to the deadline for sending off their ballot paper!

Postal voters in Switzerland sending their ballot by B-post should post it no later than Tuesday 15 October. Please enquire at the post office for exact dispatch deadlines. Your canton will usually send out detailed information about this with the voting papers.

Postal vote deadline for A-post

Postal voters should pay attention to the deadline for sending off their ballot paper!
Postal voters in Switzerland sending their ballot by A-post should post it no later than Thursday 17 October. Please enquire at the post office for exact dispatch deadlines. Your canton will usually send out detailed information about this with the voting papers.

Election day: live results

Follow the results by canton for the National Council and Council of States on the official site ch.ch/en/elections2019!

National Council election results published in the official bulletin

The results on all candidates and candidate lists (if appropriate) are published in the official cantonal bulletin no later than eight days after the election. There is also a notification of the possibility of appeal.

Deadline for appeals against National Council election results

Any appeals against the National Council election results must be filed within three days of establishing a reason for appeal, and at the latest within three days of publication of the results in the official bulletin.

The cantonal government makes a ruling within 10 days of the appeal being submitted.

The cantonal government's ruling on the appeal can in turn be contested by submitting an appeal within three days to the Federal Court.

Government report submitted to the National Council and published in the Federal Gazette

The results of the general election to the National Council are published in the Federal Gazette and on the Federal Chancellery website.

Constituent sitting of the National Council

The members of the National Council gather for the constituent sitting of the chamber on the seventh Monday after the election.

Swearing-in/solemn promise given by members

On the first day of the parliamentary session following the election, the members are sworn in

Election analysis

Federal Council electione

Every four years, the Federal Assembly elects the members of the Federal Council and the Federal Chancellor. On the same day, it appoints the president of the Confederation and vice president of the Federal Council.